Bill Gates turns 60: Five predictions Microsoft co-founder made about the future that came true

The Microsoft co-founder laid out his vision for the future in a 1999 book

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Bill Gates is celebrating his 60th birthday today.

The Microsoft co-founder, philanthropist and richest man in the world led the internet revolution by helping to launch one of the world's largest PC companies.

He also made a number of predictions about how technology would shape our future in his book Business @ the Speed of Thought: Succeeding in the Digital Economy, which were highlighted by Markus Kirjonen on his blog.

HIs book was written in 1999, the year of the Nokia 3210 and Apple’s PowerMac G4, and focuses on how businesses would need to adapt to prosper in the digital age.

Here are five predictions that proved to be scarily accurate to celebrate his 60 birthday.

Prediction: "People will carry around small devices that allow them to constantly stay in touch. They will be able to check the news, see flights they have booked, get information from financial markets, and do just about anything else on these devices.“

Result: Smart phones that are now integral to structuring day-to-day life.

Prediction: “Automated price comparison services will be developed, allowing people to see prices across multiple websites, making it effortless to find the cheapest product for all industries.

Result: Go Compare, Compare the Meerkat, confused.com, etc etc etc.

Prediction: “Constant video feeds of your house will become common, which inform you when somebody visits while you are not home.”

Result: Home security CCTV systems that can be accessed remotely, alerts to your desktop and phone.

Predicition: “Devices will have smart advertising. They will know your purchasing trends, and will display advertisements that are tailored toward your preferences.”

Result: Targeted advertising, the bane of every consumer’s life.